Dreamworld CEO addresses media

60 Minutes releases unedited Mal Brough interview

Unedited vision from 60 Minutes interview with Mal Brough is released following accusations of selective editing. Vision: Channel Nine.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull used the cover of the shock resignation of Cities Minister Jamie Briggs, who on Tuesday confessed to acting inappropriately towards a female public servant in a Hong kong bar, to announce Mr Brough had been thrown overboard.

"Mal Brough MP and I have agreed that he will stand aside as Special Minister of State and Minister for Defence Materiel and Science pending the completion of inquiries by the police," Mr Turnbull announced in a statement.

"He saved up all the bad news for between Christmas and New Year when he hopes no one is listening," she said.

Advertisement

A cabinet source told Fairfax Media that the government could not risk the Brough scandal dragging into 2016, with no sign of an end to the Australian Federal Police investigation and the Opposition keen to resume its attack when Parliament returns in early February.

"Everyone thought it would be too much of a distraction," the source said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Special Minister of State and Minister for Defence Materiel and Science Mal Brough, who stepped aside on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Finance Mathias Cormann will pick up Mr Brough's portfolio of Special Minister of State and Defence Minister Marise Payne will pick up his second portfolio, Defence Material and Science.

Mr Turnbull is now expected to fill Mr Briggs' vacancy in early 2016, just four months after Mr Turnbull deposed former prime minister Tony Abbott, but it is unclear whether there will be a wider reshuffle and whether Mr Brough's job will be left open for him to return to once the AFP investigation is complete.

A senior Liberal said any reshuffle would hinge mainly on the imminent decision of Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. The Nationals leader is due to announce whether he will remain in Parliament for another term or step down, with Barnaby Joyce expected to replace him.

Mr Brough, who remains under investigation by AFP over his role in the copying of the diaries of the former Speaker, Mr Slipper, was a key backer and numbers man in the September leadership coup that saw Tony Abbott replaced as prime minister by Mr Turnbull.

"In offering to stand aside Mr Brough has done the right thing, recognising the importance of the Government maintaining an unwavering focus on jobs, economic growth and national security," Mr Turnbull said.

Labor used the final weeks of Parliament in 2015 to add pressure to Mr Turnbull to dump Mr Brough over the "Ashby-gate" affair.